Three Dialogues: Protagoras, Philebus, and Gorgias
Jan 2011 · Cosimo, Inc.
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About this ebook
Three Dialogues is a collection of three Socratic dialogues by the philosopher Plato: Protagoras, Philebus, and Gorgias. Protagoras is an argument between the elderly and celebrated sophist Protagoras and Socrates about the nature of sophists and virtue. Philebus, written between 360 and 347 BC and one of the last Socratic dialogues, features Socrates (rare for a late dialogue), Philebus, and Protarchus. It centers on the value of pleasure versus knowledge, and focuses in the end on the inherent value of philosophy and reason over drama and poetry: a wholly philosophical idea. Finally, Gorgias is an argument between a philosopher and rhetorician, emphasizing the art of persuasion as necessary for gaining legal and political advantages. All three dialogues are also available in the Cosimo omnibus editions of The Works of Plato. One of the greatest Western philosophers who ever lived, PLATO (c. 428-347 B.C.) was a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle. Plato was greatly influenced by Socrates' teachings, often using him as a character in scripts and plays (Socratic dialogues), which he used to demonstrate philosophical ideas. Plato's dialogues were and still are used to teach a wide range of subjects, including politics, mathematics, rhetoric, logic, and, naturally, philosophy.
About the author
Plato was born c. 427 B.C. in Athens, Greece, to an aristocratic family very much involved in political government. Pericles, famous ruler of Athens during its golden age, was Plato's stepfather. Plato was well educated and studied under Socrates, with whom he developed a close friendship. When Socrates was publically executed in 399 B.C., Plato finally distanced himself from a career in Athenian politics, instead becoming one of the greatest philosophers of Western civilization. Plato extended Socrates's inquiries to his students, one of the most famous being Aristotle. Plato's The Republic is an enduring work, discussing justice, the importance of education, and the qualities needed for rulers to succeed. Plato felt governors must be philosophers so they may govern wisely and effectively. Plato founded the Academy, an educational institution dedicated to pursuing philosophic truth. The Academy lasted well into the 6th century A.D., and is the model for all western universities. Its formation is along the lines Plato laid out in The Republic. Many of Plato's essays and writings survive to this day. Plato died in 347 B.C. at the age of 80.
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